VISA - A pass to innate immunity

Virus-induced signaling adaptor (VISA) is essential for host innate immune responses against double-stranded RNA viral infection and viral replication. It is an adaptor that activates the transcription factors nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) that regulate the expression of type I interferons. The localization of VISA to the outer membrane of mitochondria and the cellular consequences of its activation implicate this protein in the cellular etiology of neurodegenerative disorders. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.